Hearing aid



April 1953 P. J. ANNAS EI'AL 2,633,927

HEARING AID Filed May 6, 1950 INVENTOR. ML J. ANNAS RAYMOND A. B\CE Patented Apr. 7, 1953 HEARING AID Paul J. Annas, Cleveland, and Raymond A. Bice, Euclid, Ohio; said Bice assignor to said Annas Application May 6, 1950, Serial No. 160,564

1 Claim. 1

Our invention relates to a new and highly useful improvement in hearing devices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device in a form suitable and adaptable for insertion in the auditory canal of the ear to function as an aid to hearing.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described that is practically unnoticeable when worn.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device as described that functions without the use of electrical energy in any form.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device as described that is very simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and long lasting in service.

The foregoing and other objects attainable in the use of the invention will be readily apparent from a reading of the description and a reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in elevation, and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the device.

Describing the device as shown in the drawing:

1 refers to body or device composed of a membranous-like material, the body being hollow and having grooves or channels 2 extending downward from the top to the lower end in a direction parallel with the length of the body, such grooves or channels gradually narrowing in the direction of the lower end of the body, the top of the body is provided with a semi-rigid ring which maintains the body in the form shown, or in any adjusted form and functions in the manner of looking the device in the ear of a person. 4 is a cover of material similar to or like the body and in a disk-like form.

The device is shown in a regulation form which is slightly arcuate or curved and with the body diminishing gradually in size in the direction of the lower end, the form or shape of the device conforming with the inside shape or contour of the auditory channel of the ear, however the body of the device being of a membranous-like material making it flexible permits of it being molded or shaped to conform to the shape or contour of the said ear channel of the person using such device.

The device is installed in the ear of a person by shaping or molding it to fit in the auditory channel of the ear of such person and when so installed the ring 3 will maintain or look the device in such ear without any danger of it accidentally, or prematurely loosening and falling out of the car. It will be noticed that the device tapers toward the lower end so as to permit of easily and conveniently fitting it within the ear channel.

As is generally Well known, all hearing aid devices extant, or in use today require some unit of electrical energy to activate and operate same, also such devices are unsightly or at least quite noticeable to the public which in most cases causes some degree of embarrassment to the person using same.

Furthermore, such devices are, in general, more or less inefficient and involve some expense at least to maintain them in any degree of efficiency.

Applicants device is designed to overcome the objections to similar devices as stated previously and to provide such a device that does not require any energizing unit, can be worn for use practically without being noticed by the public, is highly eificient in its functions and requires no cost to maintain its efiiciency at all times.

The membranous-like material constituting the body and top cover or disk is of a medical or chemical composition and possesses the quality as a medium for both receiving sound waves or vibrations and, the inner or tapered end of the device being in contact with the ear drum when installed in the ear, transmits such waves or vibrations in an accentuated form to the ear drum, thereby increasing the receptive and reproducing quality of such drum so as to render such sounds or vibrations easily and readily heard by the person wearing the device, and this device being of the membranous-like material as described, may be worn without any annoyance or discomfort to such person.

The grooves or channels as described provide a means for ventilation of the ear, also as a receptacle for the wax that ordinarily accumulates in the ear. The grooves or channels may also function to provide proper air pressure within the canal part of the ear where the device is installed.

Applicants have shown and described their device in a desired and efiiclent form and structure, however it will be understood that the device as to its installed form may vary slightly owing to the difference in the contour of the auditory channel of the ears of different persons.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A hearing aid of the class described comprising an elongated hollow body of membranous material, said body tapering toward the inner end thereof and such end closed integrally with the body, said body having a slight curvature in form REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Number file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Valiquet Dec. 3, 1912 Stair Febrll, 1922 Von- Suchorzynski Sept. 4, 1928 French Nov. 3, 1931 

